COLLECTION J . are 326 REPOSITORY 19.5! -58 CnrreSpant ENCE . _- 18=0 BOX No. == 408750 FOLDER MALA ‘El _Yol. Hr _ op i ? } Ct RN a tl. / t RS Z Mr. Anthony tT. Lausdi, Director Office of Territories Department of the Interior Dear Me. Eansi: the the has the Yl PD COPY AMAL Poe Ateaie Energy Cosmiasion has considered the problem of returning Roggelap people to theix howe atoll in the Trust Territory, and carefully weighed the date from radiclogi¢al surveys made during past two and one-hal? years, including that of the latest survey male in July 1956. These data indicate o presente of & residual contamimation on the Teland of Hongeiap, but at s level that is acceptable from « health point of view, beth fow tne potential external. game rudiation exposure and the strontiume99 content in the food supply, with the possible exception of land crabs. The Comifseion's position is that the Rongelapese could be returned to their home isiand as soon a9 rehabilitation procedures on the Island of Rongelap are completed, with the adviee that land crabs not he eatan at thie tine. 4 In accordance with previous views of the Department of the Interior the Atomic Energy Commission is proceeding with inpiementation of the progres for the reconstruction amd rehwbilitation of the homes and , facllities on Rongelep. It is expected that these preparations will repaire approximitely Dive monthe. Ginece the AEC has made » determina~ tion that it will be safe frem 4 henith standpoint to return the Rongeiapese to their hame isiand upop completion of these preparations, your comurrerce in this plan to retw'n these preopic to their home ieiand in reouested. Simcerely yours, . . ec: Gen. Mgr. ( L mien .. ae EB» Pigaee.«. a9 wecrebtrist (1 Cong. Com. Section (” ; . EMEP Giibunning:vmn Lat dpe GT _ DIRECTOR CLDunhem tts oodag a eee mo Game ral mnt GEN. MGR. Ala u pie et uaa at a “ . ’ De